Swingletree.



J. F. ROYALS. SWINGLETREE. APPLIOATION FILED AUG.10, 1910.

Patented Feb. 14,1911.

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JUNIUS F. ROYALS, 0F GODWIN, NORTH CAROLINA.

SWINGLETREE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1%, 1911..

Application filed August 10, 1910. Serial No. 576,611.

I '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J UNIUS F. ROYALS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Godwin, in the county of Cumberland and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Swingletrees; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact de scription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in swingletrees for vehicles and has for its object to provide means whereby, in case of a runaway or other accident, the animal may be readily released from its connection with the vehicle.

lVith this object in view, my invention consists in the construction and arrangement hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains may fully understand the construction and operation of my improved swingletree and fully appreciate its advantages, 1 will proceed to describe the same, referring by numerals to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a top or plan view of my improved swingletree. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same with the trace locking mechanism shown in locking position in solid lines and in releasing position shown in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line'ab of Fig. 2 and big. 4, a cross section at (Z of Fig. 2.

Similar reference numerals indicate like parts in all figures of the drawing. 1 is a swingletree of ordinary construction and adapted to be secured in position by an ordinary bolt. The rear surface of the swingletree 1 is formed with a longitudinal recess 2, inclosed by a sheet metal plate 3, formed near one end with a bayonet slot 4:.

To each end of the swingletree is secured a metallic strap 5 adapted to receive the rear slotted end of the traces.

Within the recess 2 is located a longitudinal movable rod 6, which is confined by the plate 3. One end of this rod is adapted to rest against the rear edge of one of the straps 5, and the opposite end is fashioned into a rectangular loop 7, terminating in an arm 8 adapted to enter the opening in the rear end of the trace and to bear against the rear edge of the strap 5 when in look ing position and the loop 7 interlocks with the bayonet slot 4: in an obvious manner.

It will be readily understood that when the two traces are inserted between the ends of the swingletree and the straps or ends 5, and the rod 6 is reciprocated to pass within the openings in the rear ends of the traces, the strain upon said. traces will be borne by the swingletree and the straps or cuffs 5 and that when the rectangular loop 7 of the rod 6 is depressed, it will interlock with the bayonet slot 4, and consequently the traces will be secured against accidental releasement.

Should occasion be presented for the immediate releasement of the animal, it is only necessary to raise the loop 7 and move the rod 6 to the right, as shown, whereu on both traces are released from the rod and the animal is released from the vehicle in an OUVlOUS manner.

It will be readily seen that in harnessing an animal to a vehicle that both traces are secured in draft position by simply reciproeating the rod 6 and turning the rectangular loop 7 downwardly into locking position with the bayonet slot t in the plate 3.

Having described the construction and advantages of my improved swingletree, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1.. In a swingletree such as described and provided with a longitudinal recess or chan nel in the rear surface inclosed by a metallic band or plate provided near one end with a bayonet slot; a reciprocating bar confined between the said band or plate and the swingletree, and adapted at each end to interlock with the two traces of a harnessed animal, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

2. In a swingletree having a longitudinal recess, a plate covering the recess and having near one end a bayonet slot, straps at each end of the swingletree, a reciprocating rod in the recess adapted to engage the edge In testimony whereof I afiix my signature of one of the straps the other e d of the in presence of two Witnesses.

rod extending outwardly through the bayonet slot and forming a loop, and the loop terminating in an arm adapted to engage the edge of the other strap and enter said recess.

his JUNIUS F. X ROYALS.

mark W'itnesses D. G. MOLELLAN, H. MCINTYRE. 

